Council tax tops table of most hated taxes

Brits resent having to pay council tax as one of their three most resented taxes in 2009, according to new research by Unbiased.co.uk, the professional advice website. Almost half (43%) of UK adults listed this as one of their top three most hated taxes, knocking off fuel duty from the top of the table in 2008. Fuel duty now sits in 3rd place, with 38% of people resenting this.

Following Darling's VAT cut by 2.5% before Christmas, British resentment towards paying tax on goods and services has softened slightly and fallen by one spot on the most hated table, from 7th in 2008 down to 8th in 2009. Airport taxes did not even make the top ten most hated taxes in 2008, but this year it has leapt into 9th position, with 12% resenting this taxation.

David Elms, chief executive of Unbiased.co.uk comments, "The Government needs to find ways to increase revenue as a result of the economic crisis. Unfortunately this may well mean higher personal tax which puts even more strain on people's finances at a time when they are trying to make their money stretch further. However, while some taxes are unavoidable, UK adults will pay £10 billion in unnecessary taxes this year alone, which could be stamped out by better financial planning."

Unbiased.co.uk's research also found that a quarter (26%) of UK adults believe more of their income will be paid to the tax man this year compared to last. Of this group, over half (53%) attribute this to the level of taxes going up in general this year and a whopping 73% believe this increase in taxes is unfair.

David Elms continues, "While tax can seem a complex issue, especially in the current environment, people can save hundreds of much needed pounds by ensuring they are being tax efficient and not wasting money unnecessarily. Taxpayer resentment towards compulsory taxes could be offset to an extent by being as tax efficient as possible in other areas of their finances. While many may feel nervous about making the wrong financial decisions at the moment, an independent financial adviser can assess your entire financial position and ensure you are being as tax efficient as possible."